PILATUS PC-12

TYPE: Light utility turboprop.

PROGRAMME: Announced at NBAA Convention October 1989; first flight P.01 (HB-FOA) 31 May 1991; first flight of P.02 second prototype (HB-FOB) 28 May 1993; Swiss certification to FAR Pt 23 Amendment 42 (covering FAR Pt 135 commercial and Pt 91 general operations) received 30 March 1994, FAA type approval 15 July 1994, and FAR Pt 25 certification for flight into known icing conditions in 1995. Deliveries (N312BC to Carlston Leasing Corporation in USA) began September 1994. Higher gross weight option (4.5 tonnes, hence PC-12/45) introduced in 1996 and gained FAA certification on 31 July 1996; became production standard by 1997. FAA FAR pt 135 approval for commercial single-engined IFR operations announced in third quarter 1997; production increased from three to four per month in August 1997. First airline scheduled service operator (1997) was Kelner Airways of Canada. Total of 76 ordered and 51 delivered in 1998 (including 100th in April); 29 ordered in first half of 1999; 200th sale announced at NBAA Convention. Worldwide fleet hours passed 675,000 in October 2003. Now certified in 20 countries. 1,500th Pilatus single-engined turboprop, manufactured in mid-2001, was PC-12 N377PC.

CUSTOMERS: Completion of 300th production aircraft effected in 2001 and 400th in (N500ZP) in August 2003. Deliveries in 2000 and 2001 totalled 70 each, 45 in 2002, and 55 in 2003. Some 59 per cent of first 400 aircraft are registered in USA; further 14 per cent in Canada (including nine with Royal Canadian Mounted Police). Sales total includes 8 per cent in air ambulance configuration. US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) received two in transport configuration in December 1999 and October 2000, and predicts further orders. Other customers include those in Argentina (Border Guard), Australia (Royal Flying Doctor Service with 17 aircraft, including three delivered in early 2002), Australia, Belize, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, South Africa (Red Cross), Switzerland, USA and Zimbabwe. Approximately 10 per cent of those sold are in air ambulance configuration. First single-engine turboprop fractional ownership scheme involves PC-12s of Alpha Flying's PlaneSense programme at Nashua, New Hampshire, USA. Similar scheme introduced 2001 by Lions Air TimeJet of Zurich, Switzerland.

ACCOMMODATION: Two-seat flight deck: approved for single pilot, with dual controls; second flight instrument panel optional. Limit of nine passengers under FAR Pt 23, or executive layout for six to eight, both with lavatory. Two or three stretcher patients, plus life support systems and medical attendants, in ambulance configuration. Downward-opening airstair crew/passenger door at front, upward-opening cargo door at rear, both on port side; Type III emergency exit above wing on starboard side.